>>209309
"What happened, where am I, where's the assailant, and how long was I out?"

Anonymous 2010/07/17(Sat)10:16 No. 209314 ID: 98ce68
File 127938697057.png - (153.36KB , 800x800 , 98.png )

HrgflhWhat am I, where happened, where was I out, and how long is the assailant!?

>If you accept suggestions, officer, calming down should be the first one of your priorities right now. You've been unconscious for almost two hours.

fffghh... Really?

Yes. And I'm interested to know how did you manage to break your own leg and tase yourself at the same time.

what? you mean you didn't see him? shit.

>>209314
"Dammit, he got away.
Wait, you couldn't tell from the impact site that my leg was broken with a sledgehammer?
Also, was there any blood on my clothes?"

"Where did you find me?"
"Did anything happen while I was unconscious?"

Hug the doctor.

Hugz fer da dok.

Anonymous 2010/07/17(Sat)12:25 No. 209340 ID: 98ce68
File 127939475096.png - (216.91KB , 900x675 , 99.png )

Damn, he got away. Didn't you see him?

>I didn't see anybody, because I haven't even been at the scene of your defeat. I finished analyzing the corpse and looked for Mogro, the Eng. assistant, to put the body in a better place, but I couldn't find him in Engineering. Half an hour later he came to my office carrying your wrecked body, saying that he found you unconscious in the Crew Quarters. He didn't mention anyone else.

Was there any blood on my clothes?

>Nope, no blood. You can see it yourself, they're on the chair, with the rest of your possessions.

Did anything else happen while I was unconscious?

>I wouldn't know, I've been here in the Infirmary finishing the blood tests. And yes, the blood and the corpse are of Reto Mikos.

Hmm...

>Well, if you're done with the questions I guess I should go back to your work now. I've sealed the broken part of the carapace with quick-action plaster, and the nano-analgesics should stop most of the pain. You should be able to walk normally, but don't force it too much.

...

>Did you just try to hug me?

Yes. No. Sorry, I guess I'm still a bit confused after the shock and all that.

>Right.

>>209340
"Say, was there anything wrong with Mongro's left shoulder? Was it favored or anything?"

Say, did you ever check the cabin of Reto Mikos?
Should be an obvious place to look for clues, assuming you still have the key card.
But check with the captain first, to get some status updates and be yelled at.

>>209344
After asking, tell him if he sees someone like that, suspect them immediately, but don't let on.

Anonymous 2010/07/17(Sat)15:12 No. 209394 ID: 98ce68
File 127940475456.png - (240.43KB , 900x675 , 100.png )

Tiak gets up and puts on his clothes, checking his pockets. Looks like everything is in order, he's only missing the broken scalpel. And yes, he still has the card for Mikos cabin

So, was there anything wrong with Mongro's left shoulder?

>Which one of them?

What? .

>Oh, didn't you know? He's a Sinarri.

Tiak's brain races as he recognizes the name. The Sinarri. One of the many races enslaved by the Maurian in the past. They're free now, but the Republic dried out most of the natural resources of their homeplanets and maimed their population. Now they're used as cheap workers, employed by the same ones that caused their downfall.

>Anyways, I don't scan everybody that crosses my way, and if it wasn't a serious wound, it would be easy to conceal. I didn't see anything wrong with any of his limbs, at least, at first sight.

Whoever attacked me got half of your scalpel up the left shoulder. Please, stay alert for any individual with such an injury.

>Alright, alright, I'll see what can I do.

Ok, what should be Tiak's course of action now?

Go see the captain, stuff might have happened.

>>209394
Were the pliers returned to engineering? Go check on our buddy there.

At first opportunity check that cabinet where the hazard suits were. They should both be missing, otherwise the engineer is highly suspicious.

>>209411

Disregard that I suck cocks.

Anonymous 2010/07/17(Sat)17:35 No. 209419 ID: 98ce68
File 127941334935.png - (179.00KB , 900x675 , 101.png )

[ Tiak still carries the pliers. I just forgot to put them in the inventory. Hurr. ]


Tiak goes into the captain's quarters to ask about the current status. Doesn't seem like much is happening, the captain seems to be asleep! Quite noisily too.

Wake him up as politely as possible and tell him about the thing. First though, feel his shoulder. Wait, is there any way you could have inflicted a wound like what you did on your race?

>>209421
Walk over, grab his left shoulder where you stabbed the attacker, and gently shake him awake.
He'll probably have nothing wrong, but it's best to be certain.

About your attacker.
Sure you didn't see him, but did he move like an Maurian or different? I mean he might he an alien, right.

>>209419
I don't think we REALLY have any reason to bother the captain. Can't we just go back to the security office and get that thing behind the force field?

Anonymous 2010/07/18(Sun)03:09 No. 209606 ID: 98ce68
File 127944776241.png - (195.68KB , 900x900 , 102.png )

Tiak discreetly touches the captain's left shoulder. The man automatically jumps and wakes up, mumbling out of a dream. He seems to be startled, but not in pain.

>ArfghNo! I won't take it in my ship! It's... It's... BELINT? What are you doing here!?

Just wanted to check on the current status, sir.

>Well, neither you or Trake have given me any reports, so the current status is: nothing happened! At least, for what I can tell, which isn't much without communication systems. And knock on the door before going in next time!

Yes sir, sorry, sir.

>>209421

The scalpel is very sharp and strong, obviously made to cut a Maurian carapace. It shouldn't be hard to inflict such a wound for Tiak.

>>209434

Tiak didn't see anything wrong with the way it walked. But that doesn't say anything, there's a lot of bipedal alien species.

Just at that moment, Tiak remembers about the Servo-camera he left hidden in the Janitor's cart. A quick check on his PDA reveals nothing but complete darkness. That's weird, the camera has night-vision mode.

>>209606
Let's go check on it.

>Kill the Captain
>Advicess13.svg
>Take his place

nah just go check on the camera.

Anonymous 2010/07/18(Sun)07:40 No. 209672 ID: 98ce68
File 127946402955.png - (182.31KB , 900x675 , 103.png )

Tiak leaves descends into the lower deck, going to check on his last servo-camera.

Seems that the doctor has got the corpse removed, after all, but the blood stains are still there (and inside the elevator). And that's not the only element missing in this room. The janitor's cart is gone, and the camera with it.

Unfortunately, the camera lacks any kind of tracking device.

>>209672
Well you can move the camera around right? Try moving it to see if it can get past whatever's blocking it.

Otherwise I guess we should check the janitor's closet or quarters or something.

>>209672
Maybe, just maybe, the janitor took the janitor cart to generally janitor it up.
There's also still the cabin of the victim you could investigate sometime, but no hurry of course.

>>209672
What's that white sealant on the elevator? Was that there before?

Anonymous 2010/07/18(Sun)11:17 No. 209733 ID: 98ce68
File 127947704762.png - (82.13KB , 900x675 , 104.png )

>>209674
The camera isn't remote controlled. It can be programmed to patrol any certain area, but that can't be done through the PDA, but in person.

>>209730
Tiak noticed that the first time he visited this room, before discovering the corpse. Someone has welded shut the doors of the old elevator going to the Zero Deck. It was still warm when he touched it, but it's cooled off now.

Tiak ponders about the possible course of actions while he crosses the lower deck, looking for the Janitor locker. He still has the card for R. Mikos cabin, which would be a good place to investigate. Although with his new security card, it wouldn't be necessary the passenger card. There are the Ziraneé diplomats too. The welder inside the brig. Mongro, the Sinarri, who apparently found him unconscious. And he still should give the pliers back to Trake.

Thinking about all this, he finds his way to the end of the Low Deck corridor. This one must be the Janitor's place. Tiak knocks on the door. No answer. He opens the lock with his card, but even with the green light confirming that indeed it's open, the door won't budge.

Wha... Something must be blocking the door from the other side.

>>209733
Force the door. This has 'bad news' stapled all over it.

>>209733
Give the door a firm pounding and say "Security! Open up!" Perhaps the janitor has barricaded himself in there out of fear.

Anonymous 2010/07/18(Sun)16:02 No. 209833 ID: 98ce68
File 127949413688.png - (102.05KB , 900x750 , 105.png )

Tiak pounds the door with his fist and yells "Security! Open up!", but still, no answer from inside.

Fearing the worst, he decides there's no time to lose, and tries to man up his way inside and force the door.

The results aren't quite as expected.

O...Ow.

>>209833
...don't those doors slide?

We don't seem to have anything in our inventory that would offer leverage, even if there's a gap. I don't suppose the welder up in the brig can be used as a metal cutter in a pinch?

Can you try to recruit you old buddy the engineer to open the door?

That was a bad idea, why'd you do that?

Go return the pliers then ask the engineer if he's got a cutter that can get through a door like that.

>>209841
A prybar would be a FAR better choice.

Anonymous 2010/07/18(Sun)17:58 No. 209914 ID: 98ce68
File 127950113310.png - (220.01KB , 900x675 , 106.png )

Tiak recovers his composure and leads his steps back to Engineering.

>>209841

Tiak remembers that he's actually seen a cutter before. It was in the Brig, and it mysteriously appeared there after the person in the hazard suit attacked him for the first time.

Meanwhile, Trake doesn't seem to be in the first room in the Engineer area. Tiak wonders if he should look around for him (and where), or leave the pliers on the workbench and attend to other matters.

>>209914
Don't leave them there; things keep going missing. You can return them in person or not at all.

check that room on the left, to your right.

I think that file cabinet to your left is missing it's third drawer.

>>209850
Leave the pliers here and go get the cutter.

Anonymous 2010/07/19(Mon)13:32 No. 210181 ID: 09ea11
File 12795715664.png - (181.26KB , 900x675 , 107.png )

>>209926
That's actually a touch screen to input the password to open the cabinet.

Tiak decides to check the room to his right. It's the Atmospheric Control room. Tiak doesn't really know how does this work, but he understands that the air is recycled in this room and pumped back again into the air vents.
Nobody seems to be here.

But there are some drops of a strange glowing ooze over the main gate of the air ducts.

>>210181
You had better collect a sample of that ooze somehow. Got a bag?

Yeah inventory check please! Look at the ooze more, be prepared to jump back in case it has bubbles that pop at you or something.

>>210184
Or in case the source of the ooze is there, and is hostile. Not that there is much evidence of slime monsters so far, but I wouldn't take any chances.

Paranoia is our friend.

Anonymous 2010/07/19(Mon)15:12 No. 210195 ID: 09ea11
File 12795775647.png - (207.30KB , 900x675 , 108.png )

Tiak checks everything he's carrying at the moment.

Maybe it's a trick of the light, but Tiak would swear that the weird drops are moving. Not like they're sizzling, but... throbbing? Vibrating? It's hard to know.

Shouldn't you have evidence bags or something? Don't touch the living ooze. Try deflating the balloon and scraping a small sample into it, then tying it off.

Anonymous 2010/07/19(Mon)16:07 No. 210199 ID: 09ea11
File 127958082028.png - (122.15KB , 900x900 , 109.png )

Tiak isn't any sort of detective, and solving crimes isn't supposed to be one of his everyday duties in a low security flight like this one. So no evidence bags in his official equipment.

Tiak deflates the balloon and carefully scrapes the ooze off with the help of the plastic shards. The substance doesn't seem to be corrosive to plastic.

With extreme caution, Tiak drips the goo inside the balloon and ties it off. Now there's no doubt, it's wriggling inside. Not much, but it's certainly moving. And it doesn't look like it's eating through the balloon, that's something. Tiak puts it in his pocket.

Ok, what now?

>>210199
Get the cutter from your office so we can get in the janitor's room.

>>210199
Your best chance is the doctor. She should be able to analyze it and mystery stuff in the goddamn life-support system of the ship should be top priority.

It looks kind of like that bioluminescent tattoo that one little female had on her.

>>210203
...oh fuck. This could mean she's being mind controlled. Maybe we should check up on her next.

>>210208

I was thinking she just melted into protoplasm to squiggle around the ventilation ducts, and her tattoos rubbed off in the process.

Anyway, your best chance is the doctor now. He'll be able to examine the stuff. It's obviously some sort of biological.

Anonymous 2010/07/19(Mon)17:12 No. 210228 ID: 09ea11
File 12795847738.png - (183.46KB , 900x675 , 110.png )

Tiak walks all the way back to the Infirmary to try to get Dr. Labras to analyze the ooze sample.

But it looks like the doctor is out.

>>210228
Fine, let's get the cutter now.

>>210228

Loot his stuff!

Er, I mean, confiscate syringe, especially if it's got some liquid in it. Inspect red thing. Do any of the cabinets open?

>>210228
What was on the desk next to the syringe? It's gone.

Take a look at the little red thing.

>>210282
It was a scalpel.

Anonymous 2010/07/20(Tue)03:46 No. 210399 ID: f904d0
File 12796227628.png - (203.35KB , 900x675 , 111.png )

Tiak takes the syringe and puts it in his inventory, then he takes a look at the rest of the place.

He recognizes the red gizmo on the counter as the scanner the doctor used to analyze the blood of the corpse.

As for the other item on the counter, he doesn't have a clue about what it is. It's some sort of thin metal rod, with a crescent shape at the end.

Tiak checks the white cabinets. They're locked. And the grey cabinet with the Medic symbol on it doesn't even have any handles or visible ways to be opened.

>>210399
Let's go get that cutter!

>>210404
Yes, cutter. But, er, why are we stealing from the Doc without a clear purpose again? Do we like being shouted at?

Anonymous 2010/07/20(Tue)11:23 No. 210440 ID: f904d0
File 127965023059.png - (207.37KB , 900x675 , 112.png )

Tiak returns to his cabin and enters the brig.

In his way here he hasn't noticed anything unusual, except for that the Canteen door was wide open and he could hear someone talking inside.

With the security card, he disables the force field and gets in the cell, picking up the cutter. As he noticed the first time, it's a Sinarri piece of work, which is something strange to find in a Maurian spaceship. Changing the frequency of the beam, it can be used as a Welder too.

>>210440
Rush to the cantine and say hello.

>>210440

Cut open the lock!

>>210446
This.

Anonymous 2010/07/20(Tue)16:16 No. 210493 ID: 1ac37b
File 127966779615.png - (109.89KB , 900x900 , 113.png )

Tiak cuts the metal padlock easily. Someone has hidden something inside the cabinet .

It looks like part of a computer, or some electronic device. But Tiak can't identify it. He takes it with him anyways.

>>210493
I bet this is a missing piece from engineering. If we can find the engineer he could help us put it back.

Also, Mongro is a Sinarri, the tool is Sinarri made... Mongro had access to Engineering... HMMM, I WONDER WHO THE CULPRIT IS.

odd...

>>210495
obviously not mongro, it's so obvious that it must be a set up.

wordswordswords go check out the cafeteria the doctor is probably having lunch!

>>210564
Right good idea. Let's go to the Canteen.

Anonymous 2010/07/21(Wed)06:37 No. 210645 ID: 1ac37b
File 127971946898.png - (239.02KB , 900x675 , 114.png )

Tiak leaves the brig and his cabin and walks over to the Canteen. This time, the barman seems to be here.

He gives Tiak an apathetic look and gives him a distant nod as he comes in.

>S'up?

Hey, paper under the table. Grab it.

>>210645
Read barman. Hug note.

Anonymous 2010/07/21(Wed)09:03 No. 210678 ID: 1ac37b
File 127972822667.png - (108.15KB , 900x900 , 115.png )

Tiak notices the small piece of paper under table and kneels down to get it. The upper half of the note is missing, but the rest is legible.

It's a letter, communicating the addressee that it's the last chance to pay the a large sum of money lost gambling before more drastic actions will be taken.

It's signed by the representative of a well know authorized gambling corporation. But the name of the addressee isn't visible, must've been in the missing half of the note.

The barman speaks up.

>Hey, what are you reading?

>>210678
Be honest. Say hello and explain you found the note on the floor.

Anonymous 2010/07/21(Wed)15:17 No. 210759 ID: 74c92b
File 127975062495.png - (175.94KB , 900x900 , 116.png )

Hello. Oh, nothing, just a note I found laying around.

>A note? You better give it to me before one of those bossy bastards comes around yelling about "stolen items". Mpfh!

Tiak deliberates. Should he give the note to the barman?

>>210759

Tell him there is a very important investigation going on right now, and you don't want anyone contaminating the evidence.

You guys have fingerprints, right?

Copy the contents of the note, order a drink. You need a drink before you get knocked out again.

...this guy has a robotic arm. Didn't the guy we fought have a really strong arm? Ask to see his shoulder joint.

Anonymous 2010/07/21(Wed)18:21 No. 210799 ID: 48e178
File 127976168756.png - (116.21KB , 900x900 , 117.png )

Tiak cautiously copies the contents of the note into his PDA, just in case.

>>210761

Maurians have hard carapaces for skin, with moving plates and flexible joints. They don't have fingerprints.

Sorry, pal. I'm in charge of a very important investigation, and you never know what might be a clue! Can you serve me a drink?

>Fine, whatever.

The barman doesn't seem too happy about not getting the note. He searches under the counter for a moment and emerges with a shiny unlabeled bottle from which he pours a colorful drink into a glass.

Hey, can I see your left shoulder?

>...I beg your pardon!?

It's for the investigation. Seriously!

>No fucking way, man. If you want to humiliate me , you're gonna have to arrest me and chain me to the wall.

No need to be so melodramatic.

>>210799
>shiny unlabeled bottle

Uh. Ask him what's in the drink.

>>210805
Ask for a specific drink, instead.

>>210799

Explain that you're not asking because you want to look at his prosthetic, if that's what he thought.

Say thanks, and take the drink with you without drinking it. Ask what it is first though. Do his clothes look like he just changed into them?

>>210799
FFFFFFF- mysteriously coloured alien drinkings...


Take the glass but don't sip yet. Ask him who was in the canteen today and whether he noticed anything strange going on.

You've made copying the information pointless by not giving it back, possibly offer to give it back for a glimpse of his shoulder. He might be a little more cooperative with your questions if you aren't making his job harder in future as far as he knows.

Anonymous 2010/07/22(Thu)03:12 No. 211015 ID: 48e178
File 127979352746.png - (247.39KB , 900x675 , 118.png )

Tiak holds the glass but doesn't drink the beverage yet. He examines the clothes of the barman. They seem to fit him and it doesn't look like he put them on in a rush.

Thanks. Uh... What's this?

>Danto wine. I keep it under the counter because the light spoils it. You better drink it fast or it'll become bland and tasteless.

I see...Who was here talking with you a few minutes ago?

He shrugs.

>People come and go, to eat and have a drink, and chat. And pretty much every person in the ship has come around the last few hours. They're just faces that pass by for me, I couldn't remember which one of them has been around recently.

[i]Will you let me take a look at your shoulder if I give you the note?

>No, but I would be really thankful.

By the way, I didn't want to see your prosthetic, if that's what you thought.

>So you just wanted to watch me shirtless? That doesn't sound any better, boss.

No, it's not about that... I mean it is but, not in that way... I mean...

>What's the deal with you and that obsession about my arm, boss?

sigh and say "someone attacked me earlier and i managed to stab them in the shoulder, so by letting me see your shoulder and seeing you have no wound i can officially cross you off the suspect list. but if you continue to refuse then i would need to put you in the brig"

>>211015
Eh, may as well come out with it. You're trying to eliminate suspects, and the person who assaulted you has an injured left shoulder. Take a sip of the wine, too. If it turns out to be drugged, you do have your tazer still. You can whip it out and zap him if you feel like you're passing out.

Also, we copied the note, so you may as well give the original to him so he can return it to whoever lost it if they come yelling.

>>211016
Erm. Are threats really necessary? Or even, useful? Someone has a copy of our card so they can just let him out while we're out and about.

>>211019
Yes, but he doesn't know.

We are responsible for the security on the ship, right? How can we do our work if we struggle to get a simple body examination?
It's not like we want to him to drop his pants, we just want to check whether he has a wound on his upper torso. Even say you can go to a secluded room, if he doesn't want to go topless in public.

His possibly strong mechanical arm makes him a suspect.

Tell him to let you look, it's vital for the investigation.

Anonymous 2010/07/22(Thu)05:41 No. 211033 ID: 48e178
File 127980250526.png - (92.61KB , 900x900 , 119.png )

Look, I'll be honest with you. There's been a murder and someone has attacked me. I couldn't identify the guy, but I managed to wound him in the left shoulder. I'm trying to eliminate suspects. I'm trying to ask you nice, I don't want to have to use my authority.

>Fine, fine. Jeez. So I'm now a suspect, just beautiful.

He takes off his jacket and exposes his bare upper body. It's all scarred and damaged, but the wounds are old, nothing recent.

>Happy now?

Yes, I guess so. Wow, this looks... painful. What happened?

>The war happened. Fucking Ziraneé and they black scaled hearts... You aren't so young, and the Security forces are militarized, you must've gone to war too, don't you?

Yes, shortly before it ended... But I don't want to think about it. The memories... I just don't want to think about it.

>Sure, sure... Your drink is getting warm.

>>211033

It's very doubtful that in the short amount of time of your nap that the assailant scarred up from his wounds, received a prosthetic arm, and continued to serve customers all day while being the criminal without anyone noticing.

I would eliminate him as a suspect unless evidence in the future directs us to him in any way at all.

Also drink.

>>211033
We should take the opportunity to get some backgrund information.

Ask him how he feels about serving on the Sparrow. What does he think about its current mission? How about the captain or the other crewmates? Is the working atmosphere good? Or tense? Does he know the janitor?
As a barman he surely heard some rumors.

Since he is not the attacker, we should try and be social. Don't tell him details about the investigation, but say it might be good to have a reliable war veteran on the side of the good guys. Ask him if he could keep an eye/antenna on anything suspicious.

>>211040

He hasn't got many antenna to spare...

Hey, drink up! He said it would spoil!

Anonymous 2010/07/22(Thu)11:12 No. 211052 ID: 48e178
File 127982234657.png - (105.91KB , 900x900 , 120.png )

Tiak nods and leaves the note on the counter, and takes a sip at his drink. It kind of tickles in his tongue as it goes up, and leaves a strange feeling of filling in his mouth. But other than that, it's very refreshing and tasty. Kind of sweet. Tiak keeps drinking while he chats with the barman.

So... How do you feel about serving here, in the Sparrow?

>It's bullshit. That's what it is. Half of my body is spread between Beta Radiace and Torei III, I've dedicated my life and my guts to serve the republic in combat, fighting those fucking lizards in every shithole of planet they could send me to. And suddenly, the war is over. I'm apparently too crippled to stay in the army and nobody has work for an old veteran. So you end up serving drinks in some forgotten transport ship, where even the kid with the shiny blue uniform can shove you around. No offense, boss.

Uh... I guess you needed to get that out.

>No shit.

Ah... And how do you feel about the current mission?

>My mission is to serve drinks and food to anyone that crosses that door. That's where my concern ends.

What about the captain?

>Nah, boss. I'm not dumb enough to be talking trash of the captain to other crew members.

Have you met the Janitor?

>Oh, yeah. Good ol' Mat. He's a nice guy, but he's not right on the head. He's scaredy like a little zublath. And it's always babbling crazy stuff. Don't mind him.

Alright, thanks for the help and for the drink. If you see anything or anyone suspicious, please tell me.

>No problem, boss.

Alright, thinks Tiak. Now what? He could try to check the Cabin of R. Mikos, or try to enter the Janitor's room, find the Ziranée diplomats, check on Trake, or maybe explore the parts of the ship he hasn't been in yet to look for clues.

!DReamEr2eU 2010/07/22(Thu)11:25 No. 211053 ID: a89944
File 127982310642.jpg - (250.90KB , 600x424 , rmika.jpg )

Check R. Mikos place and see if they were hiding anything.

Like a secret wrestling costume or nightlife. Lord knows.